Best Kept Stranger

“A haunting, sharply written exploration of generational trauma and the twisted ties that bind mothers and daughters.”—Dianne C. Braley, author of The Silence in the Sound and The Summer Before“It’s beautifully written, deeply personal, and devastating in the best way. You won’t just read this book—you’ll feel it.”—Rachel Uchitel, host of Miss Understood Beautiful but fragile Taylor Hartwell has been afraid of disappointing her manipulative mother, Claire, for as long as she can remember. To the outside world, Claire Hartwell is caring and attentive, but beneath her carefully curated exterior lurks an ever-deepening darkness-and Taylor is desperate to escape to the light. Taylor's need to please Claire and her intense craving to know love leads her into the arms of men who hurt her in every way. Yet Claire, believing Taylor's mistreatment will ensure her own domination over Taylor's life, encourages her daughter to stay in these abusive relationships. When Taylor meets a gentle, supportive man, the budding romance pulls her from Claire's relentless control. But Claire is determined that Taylor will fulfill the role Claire has planned for her since her birth. Taylor's struggle for independence unravels dangerous family secrets, leading to a series of questionable deaths and a sinister reunion that nobody anticipates. Read more